Welcome to Ireland

After our 11 day "stay" on the Emerald Isle, I now know why so many Irish settled in Tennessee- it looks almost the same (TN of course doesn't have the crazy amount of ancient structures like Ireland- but the rest is spot on).  Since anyone reading this knows me fairly well- you know that made my heart happy and sad at the same time.  Its been such a long time since I've gone to Tennessee that it made me homesick.  But enough about Tennessee, on to Ireland. 

Our first Guinness

Ireland was indeed very beautiful...and overflowing with history.  While we were there for 11 days- it wasn't enough time to really explore like I had hoped, but we managed to get more than our fair share. 

Immediately upon landing we headed to our small rental car (with a standard transmission- and did I mention a steering wheel located on the wrong side of the car?) loaded way too much luggage into it and headed West- towards Galway.  We did not have any firm plans for our trip besides our time in Dublin for the wedding- so the possibilities were endless.  Probably a good thing because my "tentative" thoughts for where and when we would go places was blown out of the water.  On the way there we had to stop for our first Guinness and at the oldest pub in Ireland- Seans Pub. 

By the time we got to Galway the sun was already setting (even though it was only a couple hundred miles) and we took the first B&B that we could find.  It turned out to be quite lovely and the owners recommended an amazing place for dinner that night.  We had one of the best meals, best wine, and a great desserts.  We called it an early night and got up the next day to head to Spiddal. 

We were heading to Spiddal because I had heard they had an amazing craft village.  On the way there our rental car died (ie the clutch went out.  We apparently weren't the first Americans to use that car)- but not before we had our first "narrow Irish road" experience.

I loved all fences built out of rock

My lovely ankle (still swollen when writing this post 2 months later)

 At the pub in Spiddal we learned how amazing Irish coffee was- and that "Black Velvets" are not something the Irish do to their Guinness.  After a disappointing shopping trip, but wonderful trip with friends and enjoying a leisurely drive around Ireland we headed back to Galway.  Once there I promptly fell and twisted my ankle.   I was pretty sure I broke it- but the x-rays I got 13 days later put a stake in that claim. 

Not one to totally let my clumsy self ruin the trip I proceeded to use Irish coffee and ice on the ankle to work my way to recovery.  Between my fall, the rain and the long time spent in hotel bar near where I fell we did not make it to our next intended spot.  We settled in at Ballyvaughn instead.  Our hotel was charming and the food was marvelous (excluding full Irish breakfasts...not my thing).  The next morning my back proceeded to go out- so you would think I would hang up the towel and call it quits.  But that is not the Spratt way.  Oh no.  I prayed, I medicated and drank some more Irish coffee.  And off we went...

The Cliffs of Mohr on my birthday

We started out heading to Aiwwee Caves.  The caves were discovered by a farmer in the 40s- but bear bones were found in the caves which means they had been around for at least 1000 years (bears have been extinct from Ireland for over 1000 years).  After the caves we headed the Cliffs of Mohr.

Guard tower at the Cliffs of Mohr

The Cliffs were amazingly beautiful.  It was like God just chopped off the end of the earth and let it crumble into the ocean.  We were really lucky that we were able to go up on the Cliffs because earlier in the morning they had been closed due to extreme winds.  It was still very windy and cold (thus me bundled up like an old lady).  Even with my back and ankle I was able to walk to the top where the guard tower was.

After the Cliffs we sat in the car with some wine, cheese and crackers we bought at the Caves.  Then we headed to Lahinch in search of a place to stay and a Chinese restaurant so my Asian birthday dinner tradition could continue. 

To be Continued in the another blog post....